Super ager Margaret (Peggy) Eileen Alexander died Saturday, Oct. 2 at her Victoria home and surrounded by family. She was 96 and up until days before her peaceful death she was still extending her genuine interest in the lives of her family and friends, all of whom were confounded that she became more and more glamorous as years passed.
At various times she lived in Ottawa, Calgary and Kelowna before setting deep roots in Victoria where she happily lived 43 years. Throughout her life she spoke with friends about her time growing up in a family of 10 on an Ontario farm near Ottawa, where naturally there was a lot of hard work but taking a larger presence in her memories was the kindness of her parents who instilled in her the value of education and the closeness of her siblings who featured large throughout her life no matter the distance that separated them.
She completed high school (senior matric, equal to first-year university) in Ontario and spent her late teens and early twenties in Ottawa, working, dancing, shopping and making life-long friends. She went on to graduate with honors from the university of life, always deeply interested in the lives of others, easily making friends — many decades younger than herself — and staying current about national and world events.
Kelowna too held a special place in her heart as it was here she raised three children in an idyllic setting that offered endless days at the beach and bountiful gardening. This was also the place she discovered untapped inner strength as it was here she had to adapt to a new reality of being a single mother to three young children. Determined that her divorce would not end the financial security needed to give them the life she dreamed for them, she became a valued management support employee for senior managers within the BC Provincial Government. Lessons and participation in hockey, swim, rowing, and skating were never rationed for her children, and Peggy enjoyed the time at rinks and pools almost as much as her kids.
With frugality lessons engrained from those years, post retirement Peggy continued to work as a valued babysitter — staying with one family for more than a decade — and she often rented a room in her home to adults upgrading their university education over the summer months. Without exception all those people became her friends for life, a testament to her capacity to develop deep, meaningful relationships with those around her.
Yet when it came to card games, her warm smile and gracious manners belied a steely, strategic mind. For years she regularly played bridge either at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre or at friends’ homes. While flexible in every day matters, she most often was in ‘control’ when it came to a game of hearts with opponents rarely seeing it coming.
She loved her garden, taking pride that many of the flourishing trees and shrubs she started from mere clippings, and right up and through this past summer she was still doing chores in her oasis.
None of those enthusiasms compared to her passion for her near and extended family. She stayed current and reveled in the successes of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
She is survived by both her oldest and youngest siblings Grace Scarabelli (nee McVey) of Victoria, Helen McVey of New Westminster, and Barry McVey of Ottawa; three children Nancy Alexander (Phil Clark) of Prince George, Sue Alexander of Oliver, and Jeff Alexander of Whistler; grandchildren Jessica Troy, Patrick Troy (Meagan), Kaitlin Troy and Matthew Troy; great grandchildren Eric, Mea, Emma and Hadley; and a host of nieces and nephews all of whom she took pride in their accomplishments.
Like most seniors, the pandemic profoundly affected Peggy’s last years, confining her mostly to her home, ending social engagements with friends and activities, like bridge, that she was passionate about and kept her engaged with the wider world. Her children ensured she had continued companionship throughout the past two years and they surrounded her with their love right up until her death at home.
The family sends heartfelt thanks to family doctor Dr. Marie Skinnirder for ongoing care given to Mom over many years and, more recently Dr. C. Baldwin, and the teams at both Royal Jubilee Hospital and VIHA. The love, care and compassion shown proves we have one of the best health care systems in the world.
Service will be held at 2pm, November 3, 2021 at First Memorial Funeral Services Chapel, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. As space is limited, please RSVP to Sue Alexander, 778-554-0907 or email [email protected]. Live streaming and messages can be accessed below.
We respectfully ask that all Covid protocols are followed, facemasks are mandatory as is the necessity to RSVP to the above mentioned.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Canadian Red Cross Society or Hospice.
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